WHO released REPLACE, a step-by-step guide for the elimination of industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from the global food supply.
According to WHO, trans fat intake leads to more than 500,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease.
REPLACE provides six strategic actions to ensure the prompt, complete, and sustained elimination of industrially-produced trans fats from the food supply:
- Review dietary sources of industrially-produced trans fats and the landscape for required policy change
- Promote the replacement of industrially-produced trans fats with healthier fats and oils
- Legislate or enact regulatory actions to eliminate industrially-produced trans fats
- Assess and monitor trans fats content in the food supply and changes in trans fat consumption in the population
- Create awareness of the negative health impact of trans fats among policy makers, producers, suppliers, and the public
- Enforce compliance of policies and regulations
WHO recommends that the total trans fat intake be limited to less than 1% of total energy intake, which translates to less than 2.2 g/day with a 2,000-calorie diet. From 4 May-1 June 2018, WHO is running an online public consultation to review updated draft guidelines on the intake of trans-fatty acids saturated fatty acids for adult and children.